Man Sentenced To 2 Years In Attack On Alvord Lake Murder Victim

Man Sentenced To 2 Years In Attack On Alvord Lake Murder VictimPhoto: Amy Stephenson/Hoodline
Bay City News
Published on February 28, 2017

A man arrested last year in connection with an attack on a homeless man who was later murdered in Golden Gate Park was set to be released from jail following sentencing yesterday on a false imprisonment charge.

Robert Tannehill, 36, pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of false imprisonment of an elder in connection with an attack on 66-year-old Stephen Williams, in return for a two-year prison sentence.

Williams was found dead by a gardener on May 24 in Alvord Lake at the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, murdered after what police have described as a series of attacks and torture over a period of several days.

A total of six people were arrested following his death, four of whom have been charged with murder.

However, Tannehill was present only during one early incident, and had checked into a drug treatment program by the time of later attacks that led to Williams' death, according to defense attorney Pamela Herzig.

He was never charged with murder, but was originally charged with felonies including assault and elder abuse. Those charges were dismissed following his change of plea.

Tannehill, who has been in custody since shortly after Williams' death, was expected to be released yesterday, with the balance of his sentence to be served under mandatory supervision in a drug treatment program.

The case against five other people charged in connection with Williams' death continues, with the next court date set for March 8th.

Herzig said Tannehill is not expected to testify or play any further role in the case.